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POSTED:June 25, 2010 2:21 p.m.

Imagine a hurricane making landfall near Georgia’s coastline – pushing a surge of water through Georgia’s coastal communities and further inland, causing flooding as the storm moves across the state. It has spawned tornadoes, and high winds have blown down trees and power lines causing power outages. Now consider the fact that, according to recent research from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, 65 percent of Georgians have not thought about where to go or how to evacuate should a similar scenario play out this summer. Another 70 percent do not have a NOAA Weather Radio to warn them of advancing threats. With the Atlantic hurricane season starting on June 1, GEMA urges residents to turn to its Ready Georgia campaign to prepare, plan and stay informed about hurricanes. “All it takes is one storm to harm your family, but taking simple steps now can mitigate the effects of a possible hurricane,” said Charley English, director of GEMA/Homeland Security. “Our Ready Georgia website offers an interactive planning tool that takes the guesswork out of getting prepared.” Visitors to ready.ga.gov can use the tool to get a customized list of emergency supplies and generate a tailored emergency plan. During hurricane season, Ready Georgia also advises: Prepare for Hurricanes - Create a Ready kit of emergency supplies and keep it in a waterproof container. - Keep a portable Ready kit in your car in case you need to evacuate, and be sure your gas tank is at least half full. – Be prepared to bring in all outdoor possessions that are not tied down, secure windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters and keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed. – Property insurance does not typically cover hurricane or flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy to consider additional coverage. Visit FloodSmart.gov for information on the National Flood Insurance Program. Plan for Hurricanes – Plan your evacuation route. Information on Georgia evacuation routes can be found at Georgia911.org. - Identify several places you could go in an emergency: a friend's home in another town or a motel. In times of emergency, a list of open shelters can be found on GEMA’s website. - If you live inland and the hurricane reaches your community, plan to stay indoors away from all windows. Be aware that there may be a sudden lull in the storm as the eye of the hurricane moves over. Stay in your shelter until local authorities say it is safe. Stay Informed about Hurricanes - If you live on the coast, familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane: A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours, and a hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately. - Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available. - Do not return to your home until local authorities say it is safe. Even after a hurricane, roads and buildings may be unstable, and drinking water may be contaminated. Detailed information about getting ready for hurricane season and the hazards associated with hurricanes is available at ready.ga.gov. For more information on specific risks in your area and how to prepare for them, contact your local emergency management agency. About Ready Georgia Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive Web site, online community toolkit, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. For more information visit ready.ga.gov, find Ready Georgia on Facebook at facebook.com/ReadyGA or on YouTube at youtube.com/ReadyGAfromGEMA.